Gavalas, who had struggled since contracting pneumonia three months ago, was 91.

Gavalas founded Nic's Toggery in 1950 in a store on a now-gone location on Monroe Street at Pensacola Street (now the site of the House Office Building). He originally catered to college students, carrying the latest men's fashions, and creating a warm environment that turned his clothing shop into a college student hangout.

Over the years, the store expanded to other locations and moved more into an upscale trade. But Gavalas' legendary upbeat personality and generosity — he often extended credit to impoverished students — help make him a Tallahassee icon.

"To my generation, Nic was a legend. There's nobody like Nic Gavalas," said Corso, the ESPN broadcaster and former FSU athlete who visited with Gavalas every time he came to Tallahassee. "I was young, away from home for the first time. I used to talk with him and he'd help me with different things and give me advice. He was like a father figure to me."

Nic's Toggery moved to the 100 block of South Monroe in the 1960s before settling at its current location, 212 S. Monroe St., in the 1980s. Nic's later expanded to the Tallahassee Mall and Governor's Square Mall. There are now three stores, with a Nic's and a Nic's Big and Tall at Market Square.

Gavalas sold a pair of specialty ties he helped design: a Sammy Seminole tie and a Florida tie emblazoned with small outlines of the state. Former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham famously stocked his wardrobe with Florida ties from Nic's, claiming he didn't buy any other tie for 20 years.

Gavalas retired from his clothing business about 20 years ago. Three of his four sons now run Nic's Toggery.

"I loved to shop at his store; it was a gathering spot," said Ron Schomburger, a former FSU football star and retired businessman. "We'd go in to look at the clothes, but have a good conversation with him and his employees. He was a happy guy; it was like talking to an old friend."

Gavalas was one of the founders of Tallahassee's Downtown Improvement Association and served on the board of directors of the Florida Retail Federation for many years. In 1962, Gavalas was among the founders of Tallahassee's Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, serving as president of the parish council for the church's first 10 years.

Gavalas was one of the first members of the Seminole Boosters, and was the oldest current member of the boosters. Though he was renowned for befriending FSU athletes, he was equally beloved by FSU students of all stripes.

"I had a fraternity brother who said if not for Nic, he would have had nothing to wear in college because Nic let him run a credit account," said Tallahassee attorney and former judge Jim Joanos, who knew Gavalas since he moved to Tallahassee. "He was a good businessman right from the beginning and very involved in the community."

Gavalas is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet, and his four sons.

The funeral is Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church (1645 Phillips Road). The family will receive friends at the church Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.